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Driver questionGetting & keeping a TLC license

What Do TLC Drivers Have to Report to TLC, and When?

Every reporting deadline in TLC driver rules in one place: lost license (72 hours), address change (10 days), criminal conviction (15 days), crashes and more.

  • Reviewed
  • 2 min read
  • 2 official sources
On this page (8)
  1. Why the address rule matters more than its $50 fine
  2. Criminal convictions: two steps, not one
  3. Crashes
  4. Work injuries
  5. While your application is pending
  6. Found property
  7. FAQ
  8. Sources

The four deadlines you are most likely to need are: lost or stolen license — 72 hours; new mailing or e-mail address — 10 days; criminal conviction — 15 days; collision — tell the vehicle owner immediately. Each comes from TLC Chapter 80, and each has its own fine if you miss it. Below is every reporting duty for licensed drivers, sorted by how fast you must act.

TLC driver reporting deadlines

  1. Immediately

    Important: Collision → vehicle owner

    Rule 80-13(a)(5). Fine $100. If anyone is hurt or property is damaged, you must also stop and exchange license and insurance details (80-13(a)(4)).

  2. Immediately

    Important: Request for a bribe → TLC and DOI

    Rule 80-12(b): report any request for a gift or payment by a TLC employee or other public servant. Fine $1,000 and/or suspension.

  3. Immediately

    Important: Chauffeur's license revoked → surrender TLC license

    Rule 80-11(c)(4). Fine $100. Also applies if your New York driving privileges are revoked.

  4. Immediately (phone) + 24 hours (writing)

    Watch out: Signs of taximeter tampering

    Taxi and green cab drivers: tell the owner (or SHL base) and TLC (80-26(d)). Fine $100.

  5. 72 hours

    Watch out: Lost or stolen TLC license

    Notify TLC in writing, not counting weekends and holidays (80-10(a)). Fine $50. Replacement fee $25.

  6. 10 days

    Watch out: New mailing address or e-mail

    Rule 80-12(i)(3). Fine $25 if you plead guilty before a hearing, $50 after.

  7. 15 days

    Criminal conviction

    Written notice within 15 calendar days of the conviction, and a certified certificate of disposition within 15 days after sentencing (80-12(h)). Fine $100 / $250.

  8. Promptly

    Found property you could not return

    Tell TLC what you found and where it is held (80-18(d)). Fine $25.

Why the address rule matters more than its $50 fine

When you apply, you agree to accept legal notices at your mailing address, and notices can be left with anyone who lives there (§80-04(i)). Rule 80-12(i)(3) adds that any TLC communication is enough if it is sent to the last mailing address you gave TLC. If you moved and did not update it, a summons or a suspension notice can go to the old address — and the clock still runs. That is one way drivers end up with a default for a missed hearing. Update your address in TLC's LARS system when you move.

Criminal convictions: two steps, not one

Rule 80-12(h) has two parts:

  1. Written notice to TLC within 15 calendar days after the conviction.
  2. A certified copy of the certificate of disposition from the court clerk within 15 days after sentencing.

A conviction can lead TLC to review whether you are still fit to hold a license. How TLC weighs convictions is explained in can I get a TLC license with a criminal record.

Crashes

Your duties at the scene and to the owner are short, but the penalties carry points: §80-13(a)(4) (stop and give your information) is $350 and/or up to 30 days' suspension, plus 3 points; §80-13(a)(5) (tell the owner) is $100 and 3 points. Insurance and police reports are separate obligations — see accident reporting for TLC drivers.

Work injuries

If you file for workers' compensation because an injury stops you from driving, you must surrender your TLC license and stop driving while you claim the disability (§80-13(b)). See can I drive while on workers' comp.

While your application is pending

Applicants have a wider duty. Rule §80-04(o) requires you to tell TLC about any material change before a decision: changes to your chauffeur's license, new address or e-mail, new criminal convictions, and new DMV convictions (including impaired driving). Not reporting can be a reason for denial — see why TLC applications get denied.

Found property

If a passenger leaves something behind and you cannot return it, take it to a police precinct (or, for FHVs, the base) and tell TLC. The full process is in lost property rules.

Frequently asked questions

How fast do I have to report a new address to TLC?

Within ten days, under rule 80-12(i)(3). The same rule covers a new e-mail address. TLC can send official notices to the last mailing address you gave it, so an old address can mean you miss a hearing notice.

Do I have to tell TLC about a criminal conviction?

Yes. Rule 80-12(h) requires written notice within 15 calendar days after any criminal conviction, plus a certified copy of the certificate of disposition within 15 days after sentencing.

My TLC license was stolen. What now?

Notify TLC in writing within 72 hours, not counting weekends and holidays (rule 80-10(a)). A replacement license costs $25 under rule 80-07(e).

Do I have to report a traffic ticket or DMV points to TLC?

Chapter 80 has no general rule telling licensed drivers to self-report each traffic ticket. TLC monitors DMV records for the Persistent Violator Program. While an application is pending, though, rule 80-04(o) requires you to report new DMV convictions.

What if I was in a crash?

Rule 80-13(a)(5) requires you to report the collision immediately to the vehicle's owner, and 80-13(a)(4) requires you to stop and exchange information when there is injury or property damage.

Sources

Last reviewed against the official sources on .

  1. TLC Rules, Chapter 80: Drivers (§80-04(o), §80-10, §80-11, §80-12, §80-13, §80-18, §80-26) nyc.gov
  2. TLC: LARS online services nyc.gov

Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the official source.

TLC Help is not a law firm and is not affiliated with the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission or OATH. Explanations on this site are general information, not legal advice. Legal representation is provided by independent attorneys and OATH-registered representatives in our network.

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